The new Continuing Resolution bill from congress reduces spending by $60 billion over earlier projections, but falls short of the $100 billion some, particularly conservatives, had hoped for.
The cuts include a ban on funds for projects backed by President Obama such as the health care overhaul and Planned Parenthood, blocks regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, for-profit colleges and the net neutrality Internet rules of the Federal Communications Commission. It also reduced spending on almost all areas of government from education to transportation, foreign humanitarian aid, medical research, border security, new military equipment and farm assistance.
Unlike the pundits, I refuse to take a position as to which party will gain or lose support in the next political cycle based on this legislation. That discourse takes us off point and only fuels the partisan, philosophical debate which divides the country and drives win lose budget thinking, often at the well being of our citizens. All I care about is that the American people are not spending 60 billion they don’t have.
But I do care that congress is not digging deep enough. I am concerned that the cuts, although necessary, are just show, without benefit of collective thought to determine how cuts or spending is intended to support a comprehensive plan for the country. I do not see a corresponding dialogue taking place on how the specifics of this will set our economy on the right course, promote growth, health, jobs and protect the basic rights of our citizens. If that is happening it is not clear to me. The evidence seems to be in how both parties have run from the comprehensive recommendations delivered several months ago by the bi partisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/
It seems to me that it is the responsibility of our government to hold a vigorous debate on our budget. Each area ought to be debated by legislators in both parties in the context of what we as a nation need accomplish to stay safe and competitive in the world. This should be easy if they use an approach to spending and cuts similar to that employed by business.
When businesses cut the cloth to fit the pattern they first determine how much they need save or trim to remain viable. Leaders know that “job one” is to remain viable. They then move to sort of a phase two set of decisions designed to achieve growth and fiscal health. The first step is to apply a simple test to each area and asks the question, “Do we need this expenditure at all?” If not it is gone.
The second phase in determining cuts is a bit more discerning and tied to giving the business the best opportunity for success. They look at all remaining expenditures and ask “will this make us stronger and more competitive in the short and long term, or can we safely reduce it or do without it for now?”
The correlation here is that in times of fiscal crisis the business process for cutting expense has little or nothing to do with preserving business leader’s power, pet projects or philosophical experiments. It is driven first by viability and second by positioning the business to be financially healthy and competitive over time.
It is almost universally accepted in this country that the budget must be brought under control. Between now and the 2012 elections the buzz coming out of the beltway will be much about cuts and spending. So although progress is being made with this bill, I guess I am more fearful that in the big picture it will translate into hot air. That instead of debating what we don’t need and eliminating it, and suitably funding what will make us stronger as a country at home and abroad now and in the future, members of congress will vote or not vote for cuts and spending based on their political party alliance and ideology.
Don’t get me wrong, I have a healthy respect for ideological difference and debate. But this plan looks pretty much the same to me. It is the same plan of Democrats and Republicans doing just enough to sell voters on the benefits of their actions as pleasing sound bites leading up to the next election cycle.
What is missing? I can’t see a primary and sincere motive in our congress to do what is best for the long term prospects of the country and its citizens. We are still without benefit of a reasoned, measured toe to toe bipartisan debate on domestic, military, foreign, education and infrastructure requirements for America to stay viable and strong going forward.
But enough from me…For a list of spending cuts in this latest bill go tohttp://appropriations.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=259
To view the full contents go to http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.1:
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